Newsletter #124 February 2016

BREXIT – WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT EUROPE

With the Europe ‘In’ or ‘Out’ debate rarely off the news agenda, and with a forthcoming referendum that could take place as early as June, it’s somewhat surprising there hasn’t been more open dialogue across the music business about the implications of a result favouring Britain’s exit from the EU.

At first glance, the fact that the music and creative industries aren’t in the critical list of sectors recently identified as most likely to be adversely affected by a Brexit 1 might be justification enough for this to not be too high on the businesses’ agenda.

Indeed, a recent and unscientific MusicTank straw poll of music industry trade bodies and leading organisations reveals only that formal positions have either yet to be agreed, or publicly declared.

It would be fair to assume that that a Brexit would undermine the EU Commission’s on-going copyright review as affects rightsholders, and perhaps reason enough to conclude that as an industry, we’re better off ‘in’; not to mention the de-stabilising effect on infrastructure projects that seek pan-European agreement, such as the European Digital Single Market, and other initiatives aimed at reducing the friction in cross-border licensing and trade.

Conversely, the fact that there is currently an absence of complete harmonisation of copyright across the Union illustrates that EU membership is hardly a panacea for all that ails, either. Our Private Copying debate last year, highlighted stark differences in approach between some fellow member states (further highlighted in our blog post series), regardless of the common bond of EU membership.

As if dealing with the rigour of the US Visa application isn’t hard enough for UK touring artists, that this could be replicated across EU member states in what might partly amount to retaliatory behaviour by our European neighbours, not to mention the added regulatory burden facing the UK music export market frankly doesn’t bear thinking about. As UK Music’s Jo Dipple reminds us in a recent CBI report – the UK is a net global exporter of music; 60 per cent of which is exported to Europe and the US.

There are potentially unintended consequences of a Brexit, too. Almost certainly, incoming visa applications from Europeans would require proof of work – a disincentive for those in industries with low job security, such as the arts, with additional risks of diluting the talent pool in a sector that has particularly benefited from a vibrant cross-cultural mix of creatives.

The EU is far from perfect; current irregularities concerning withholding tax on monies earned in other member states peculiar only to the UK and Sweden, to the detriment of rightsholders and collection societies, is just another example of further reforms required of an EU in need of urgent reform.

Over the coming weeks, we hope to be able to facilitate some debate on this topic via the ‘Comment’ link below; equally we’d be pleased to receive any and all comments.

OUT & ABOUT: MusicTank events

Returning for a second consecutive year, Andy Inglis focuses on one of the most interesting, pertinent and specialised areas: Tour Management. Whether you want to be a TM, or you’re just the only member of the band who’s got decent WiFi and can liaise with the promoters, this one-day course will prepare you for the all the things you hadn’t thought of, and set you straight about all the things you had.

Tutored by Andy Inglis, this course is designed as a much-needed best-practice roadmap for tour management, drawing on Inglis’ two decades of experience in the live sector as tour manager (most recently Savages), artist manager (2014 Mercury Music Prize-nominated East India Youth) and respected co-creator and manager of London venue, The Luminaire. More on Andy here.

“Constructive, honest and humorous insight into a vague area of the music industry” Nigel Hosten, DJ/ Promoter

“Simply amazing! Andy was a great tutor and able to pass on his knowledge…I feel very well informed and now capable of making my first steps into tour management” Maria Sophie Bissendprf, MOBO

Beth White: Women In Music In 2015 – ‘Who Run The World’According to The Guardian, only 30% of London’s artists are female, and PRS reported in 2013 that of their membership of over 95,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, only 13% were female. This gender divide is also reflected in the business side of the music industry; latest statistics from Creative & Cultural Skills (2012/ 13) revealed that the divide across all music industry related jobs is 67.8% male to 32.2% female…

Alison Lamb: Women In Music In 2015 – How Far Have We Come?It has been the year of these two words: ‘women’ and ‘music’. There have been a number of troubling (and very public) statements made from male perspectives this year which have been hugely documented in the music press.

“…Fiona elicits much food for thought, particularly around issues of ownership and access, and future implications that the music industry would do well to heed” – Prof. Guy Osborn, Centre for Law, Society & Popular Culture, Univ. Westminster

It’s Just A Click Away: How Copyright Law Is Failing Musicians – Jon Webster & Fiona McGugan, 2015
This paper intends to demonstrate the legal mechanisms that occur behind each consumer ‘click’ on streaming platforms and how the payment structure to labels, publishers and artists can change with each one. It has taken a long time and many consultants to write such a relatively short piece which goes to show just how complex this area of the music industry is. Download your FREE copy here…

MUSICTANK EVENT ARCHIVE

Fiona McGugan FAC/ MMF:“For the first time, radio is potentially under threat. Whilst there are currently no publicly available figures, we are in an age of on-demand and therefore likely that the audience for radio has declined as consumers migrate to streaming services”

Horace Trubridge, MU:“We have to make sure streaming and whatever follows it provides ER or it will only be those with independent incomes who continue [to record]. This is essential. If we don’t solve this now, we have a very bleak future…Perhaps we should have let rightsholders fight their own corner more, until we are equal shareholders, or shareholders in decent ownership.”

Benoît Machuel (FIM):“All we need is a right for performers to receive an equitable remuneration after their exclusive right of MA has been transferred to the producer – a system that already exists in the EU for the rental right.”

Alexander Ross (Wiggin): “As Europeans, we have ratified WIPO and we have to follow it; we can’t make a unilateral decision in Europe to do it our way.”

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Music Business Management Music Entrepreneur Tuition Fee Award 2016
This is a new initiative launched by Twin Music Inc. and the University of Westminster. It is designed to identify and nurture the next generation of music industry leaders and innovators. The award offers mentoring and a part tuition fee worth £4,250, with a £5,000 seed fund sponsored by Nick Gatfield, CEO of Twin Music and former UK CEO and Chair of Sony Music.

The award will go to a UK/ EU student on the widely recognised MA in Music Business Management programme at University of Westminster, who will be expected to develop a new business model over the duration of their studies with the aim of building an active, viable business upon graduation.

Applicants will need to have a music business idea that they wish to develop throughout their studies, with the aim of building a viable business upon graduation. Students will need to submit a detailed description of how the initial £5,000 of funding would be spent and the expected Key Performance Indicators.

The winner will gain first-hand experience at the Twin Music Inc. offices in London, an investment, strategy and services provider for early-stage artists and music entrepreneurs recently launched by Nick Gatfield. During this placement, the winner will receive mentoring from Gatfield and other industry professionals, learning valuable skills including how to develop, manage and fund a delivery strategy and business platform. The placement supports the aim of creating sustainable business models for both artists and entrepreneurs. More…

Air Studios Petition
It’s not just live music venues which rightly need protecting from the impact of re-development, but other businesses (and householders), too. Air Studios is currently in a tussle with developers and the local council about neighbouring property redevelopment plans, the noise from which will wreck its core business – recording.

You can add your voice to a petition calling for a change in legislation to better protect those potentially affected by redevelopment, ensuring that their concerns are considered in the planning and consultation process. Sign the petition here .

Knowledge Transfer
The Knowledge Tranfser Network (KTN) is running Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme to help businesses innovate and grow by linking them with a university and a graduate to work on a specific project. Each KTP is a three-way partnership between a business, an academic institution and a graduate. The academic institution employs the recently-qualified graduate who works at the company. The graduate, known as the ‘associate’, brings new skills and knowledge to the business. A KTP is part-funded by a grant. Businesses will need to contribute to the cost of the supervisor and the salary of the associate. Application deadline: 24 November 2020. More…

BASCA – Ivor Novello AwardsIn association with PRS for Music, BASCA is celebrating the 61st Ivor Novello Awards on Thur 19 May 2016, for which entries are now open. Full details here

INDUSTRY DIARY

1-2 Feb – MPA Induction Course for Newcomers to Music Publishing
The MPA Induction Course acts as an essential overview of the music publishing business, its organisations and their roles | Booking

1 Mar – Music Managers Forum Induction Day
An overview of the MMF’s essentials of music management including management contracts, income streams and royalties, accounting & finance and releasing and marketing a record. 25% off promo code for MusicTank subscribers: TRADE25. | Booking

14 Apr – Music 4.5 Smart Radio: Playlists 2
A focus on Playlists in April 2016 following on from the recent Playlists seminar held in New York in November 2016.
Extra early bird rates available until 12 February | Booking

SHOW ME THE MONEY: AIM start-up loans

AIM Start-Up LoansChanges to Start Up Loans eligibility criteria, mean applications can be made by businesses that have been trading for up to three years. To find out how a start up loan could help your business please contact info@aimstartups.com/aimstartups.com

That's all for this issue - 'til next time...

If you have any queries regarding any of our events or activities, please call us on +44 (0) 20 8357 7317, or email: editor@musictank.co.uk

The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily condoned or shared by MusicTank. MusicTank is a non-profit organisation owned and operated by University of Westminster. University of Westminster is a charity and a company limited by guarantee. Reg Number: 977818, England. Registered Office: 309 Regent Street, London, W1. MusicTank is based at University of Westminster, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3TP